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After being told off by my father–in–law for being spacy, I got to show off some of
my fall collection designs. I have investors, and I’m currently reviewing resumes on my tablet. The nice lady with us is Lily Von Burron. She used to be a top designer for Versace, but she made the mistake of sleeping with her boss, who then fired her when his wife found out.
She says she doesn’t remember ever being with him, and once Mr. Knightly’s driver dropped her off at her very luxurious home, he told me her boss was a vampire and likely compelled her to do what she did. Because she comes from a very prestigious Beta rank family, it was concealed, and it’s likely that her alpha has blocked the part of her brain that could have potentially made her feral. Especially after she was rejected by her mate for fornicating with a vampire.
“Have you?” I ask just to make conversation, and it’s not like he’s ever been shy about his little escapades.
“Oh, yeah. They’re wild, and they bite. A female releases a hormone that feels better than any drug known to man while she feeds on you,” he confirms.
“You are into some weird shit,” I laugh.
“What is wrong with you?” he asks suddenly.
“I’m sorry. That was intrusive. I won’t do it again.” I promise.
“Not that. I don’t care if you pry. You’ve been elsewhere since arriving in Magique. I thought you’d be happy to be working again. I know you spoke with Alpha Barnes about the three–story shop near Blood Ridge, but I have a couple more locations you may like.” he places two different files on top of my tablet.
“I am. Actually, I think it’s the only thing going right. That and the twins‘ school. They were able to take the placement test for the fall term, and Redwood Academy has already sent me schedules. This school is amazing.”
“Yes, your little cousin went there. Pernicious. She’s very intelligent. I expect the pups will finally be challenged properly. I can’t wait to see what they can really do.”
“Right, me too.” I agree. “Have you seen these edits?”
I hand him my tablet to show him a video of Aizen and Ayrie working on their video on Knight’s computer. Then I show him the video they posted. His serious face turns into a smile as he takes the tablet to get a better look at it.
“They do have a knack for this. Ayrie’s photography is sublime. You can’t even see Knight’s scar on this.” He scrolls through some of their other posts. He takes a deep breath and sets down the tablet before letting it out and making eye contact with me. Is he going to reprimand me again? “Phoebe,” he says sternly, and I’m already trying to piece together an apology. “Why are you so distracted as of late? You’re doing
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excellent.”
“Yeah, I know.” I nod. “It’s just that-” the last thing I want to do is tell him his favorite son is a fucking dumb ass. “I don’t know how to be a mate. No matter what I do, I always end up hurting him somehow, and I’m not good at apologizing.”
“None sense. You say sorry about sixteen times a day. Recently, thirty–two.”
“It’s different.” I laugh. “You’re my mentor. Not my mate. I really say sorry to you a lot.”
“You do. Why is it so easy for you to say it to me and not your mate?”
“You’re very easy to talk to and always straight with me. When I have a question, boom, you usually have an answer. I feel like Knight is so caught up in trying to protect us that he forgets that I’m not a mission. That I need more than just trust me.”
He opens his mouth to say something and then laughs. Full teeth are on display, crinkly eyes, and belly–clutching laughter. I’m surprised to find that it’s both contagious and a little scary. Even the driver sneaks a glance back at us when we reach the intersection.
“I can’t remember the last time I laughed like that,” he confesses.
“I don’t know why we’re laughing.” I clear my throat.
He grins, wiping his left eye with his knuckles. I kind of lean away from him when he lifts his right arm. He catches it that time, and it sobers him up a bit.
“No one has ever accused me of being easy to talk to,” he shakes his head.
“It’s not an accusation. It’s a compliment.”
“I’m sorry you feel that way, Phoebe. Knight-” he lets out a frustrated sigh.
“I know.” I agree.
“He’s trying to do right. I don’t believe I’ve ever seen him this driven. Nathan obsesses as badly as I do. It’s why he despises me. Little fuck could never stop sticking his nose where it doesn’t belong and now the shits got a team of other little prodigies with him.” he sounds so proud and I am here for it. “It’s not so much forgetting; not everything is a mission. It’s the obsession with never failing. If he’s made a promise, he is going to stop at nothing to make it happen.”
His phone chimes as the car stops in front of our building. He watches something on his phone that sounds urgent and then looks up at me.
“Is everything okay?” I ask.
“Yes, I have to go. Go up the penthouse and be careful,” he said, stepping out of the car and holding open the door for me.
“I just want to thank you for everything today. It’s been too long since I’ve felt useful.” ! know he hates it, but I step into him and give him a hug. I sneak a kiss on the cheek, making him growl lowly. When I pulled away, I saw his eyes glowing red. “I’ll see you later, Grumpy. Try to be good for everyone’s sake.”
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“I can’t make that promise.” he smiles. “Go on. Cut the boy some slack. He’s been mortal for a while.”
“He’s not a boy anymore. I’m not the cut–them–some–slack type. The design wouldn’t be perfect if I did. You raised him. You should know just how much he can handle by now.” I bow slightly. “Thank you for today. No one can ever make me hate you, Mr. Knightly.”
“Get some rest, kid. If only to spite him,” he smirks as he gets back into the car.
“Now that’s sound advice.” I laugh all the way to the elevator.
When I get to the top floor. Just as the door pings. My body breaks out in sharp goosebumps. A growl rips out of me as the doors begin to open, and a hand reaches for me. I have no idea how; maybe Mr. Knightly was right, and Midnight’s memories are activating her muscle memories because I drop on one knee and swing my left arm forward with my claws extended and cut through fabric. With my right, I swipe forward with all my might, and the woman in front of me goes flying.
She hits the floor, rolling a few times before she steadies herself in a crouching
position.
“Now what? What the fuck is this?” I growl as I feel Midnight push against the border of our presence inside of me. It’s like she’s somehow taken control of certain parts of my body.
“You’re dead you little whore.” she growls. Her eyes glow a brilliant blue as she stands up in a horse stance and releases her claws.
“Midnight, what the fuck is happening?” I ask, staring back at the woman who is starting to look like a monster. Do I look like that, too? Maybe not the thing to worry about. “Are you a groupie?”
She doesn’t like that. My body moves left as she comes at me. I kick her leg out, taking hold of her arm. Somehow, we spin, and the woman hits the carpet face first. She growls when I push against her, scraping her face on the rough texture.
“Mine,” Midnight’s voice rips out of me as I pull on the woman’s arm with the intention to rip off- maybe?
“Midnight, that’s my sister, Ashley.” I hear Knight shout from behind me.
I hesitate, and it’s all he needs to tackle me away from her. I end up on my back, relieved to see him. Midnight immediately spins around and uses his body to propel us toward his sister, Ashley. I get one look at her and raise my arms to wrap around my body. I stumble and hit the floor hard.
“Stop. Stop. Stop. You can’t do that to her.” I cry out.
“Mine!” she cries out in my head loudly.
“You’re right. You’re right. But that’s his sister. Obviously, there’s a misunderstanding.”
It hurts badly to hold her back. “Please, please. This hurts, Midnight. You promised.”
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She growls, but she stops struggling. I gasp for air as the tension in my body gives out,
and I swoon as my blood begins to flow properly. I look up to see Jordan and Lillies
come out of the apartment.
There’s a snapping sound, and the woman jumps up to come after me. Jordan. reaches for her but misses. I swing with my right arm and connect with her chin just as Knight’s arms come around me.
“Who the fuck is this?” Jordan asks.
“Knight. What the fuck?” I shake my hand out as she falls to the floor, unconscious. “Is your sister a brother lover?”
“What?” Lillies laughs.
“No, she’s just stupid as fuck. Are you okay?” he reaches for my arm and then begins to check me for other wounds. When he sees I’m okay, he wraps his arms around me. I am so sorry. We’re not used to being around good people.”
